(INDIANAPOLIS) — In an effort to increase participation in high school swimming and diving, standing forward takeoffs have been approved, effective with the 2021-22 school year.
This significant addition to high school diving was one of several rules changes recommended by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Swimming and Diving Rules Committee at its March 21-23 meeting held virtually this year. All of the committee’s recommended rules revisions were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.
The addition to Rule 9-5-2 states that for standing takeoffs, “the diver will assume a starting position that includes an upright head and body with arms straight and in a position of the diver’s choice. The diver may move the arms to various preparatory positions provided there is no attempt to start the dive.”
The new language also notes that just before or after the starting position is assumed, the diver shall stop oscillating the board. For standing takeoffs, the diver cannot oscillate the board more than four times, cannot let one or both feet leave the board during an oscillation prior to the final spring from the board, and cannot permit an oscillation to be too large to disrupt the tempo of the dive.
“The standing forward takeoff is a critical part of the educational process in teaching new dives,” said Sandy Searcy, NFHS director of sports and liaison to the NFHS Swimming and Diving Rules Committee. “This provision allows divers to participate in competition sooner, even if they have not mastered all parts of the dive, and it encourages growth in the sport.”
A new article in Rule 9-3 notes that if a diver elects to perform a standing forward takeoff, he or she must declare intent to the diving referee before performing the dive. When a diver performs a standing forward takeoff, a two-point penalty is assessed since all components of the dive are not being completed. In addition, if a diver doesn’t declare intent to perform a standing takeoff, it will be an unsatisfactory dive, and the diver will receive a score no higher than two points.
In other diving rules changes, Rule 9-2-1 now allows for diving boards to be open for practice during championship meets if breaks between sessions extend longer than 10 minutes – unless the meet director establishes specific guidelines prior to the start of competition. A change in Rule 3-3-5c now permits divers to use temporary adhesives during competitions.
In addition, a new Rule 9-6-4 states that if a dive is executed other than that which was announced, and is properly listed on the scoresheet, it will be judged as a correct dive and considered an announcer error. If the diver completes a dive as announced and it is determined that the announcer was in error, the diver will be allowed to immediately perform the correct dive.
Among changes in swimming rules, new Rule 3-3-5 permits competitors, for religious reasons, to wear suits that provide full body coverage without obtaining prior state association authorization – as long as the suit meet requirements in Rule 3-3-4b(1-3). The NFHS Swimming and Diving Rules Committee is the fifth NFHS sports rules committee to adopt or adjust a rule this year related to the wearing of equipment for religious purposes.
A revision in Rule 3-2-5 now states that in relays, the leadoff swimmer must be declared at the specified time and place prior to the start of the event.
A complete listing of the swimming and diving rules changes will be available on the NFHS website at www.nfhs.org. Click on “Activities & Sports” at the top of the home page and select “Swimming and Diving.”
Saturday, Atomic Speedway officials announced a move due to the forecast wintry weather this Wednesday. Instead, the event has been moved to Thursday night.
(COLUMBUS) – The Division III and IV girls basketball All-Ohio teams were announced Monday by the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association.
The Division I and II All-Ohio teams will be announced Tuesday, followed by the Ohio Ms. Basketball Award on Wednesday. The boys basketball All-Ohio teams will be announced starting next Monday, April 5.
2021 Division III Girls Basketball All-Ohio Teams
Player of the Year: Zoe Miller, Berlin Hiland
Coach of the Year: Ourtney Bryant, Warrensville Heights
Mya Leach, Sarahsville Shenandoah, 5-8, fr., 14.2; Emily Siedel, Bowerston Conotton Valley, 5-4, sr., 14.5; Maddie Powers, Malvern, 5-8, so., 16.0; Sophia Knight, Tuscarawas Central Catholic, 5-8, sr., 12.9; Kelsey Harlan, Hannibal River, 5-6, fr., 12.4; Kara Ramsey, New Matamoras Frontier, 5-6, so., 10.0; Makenna Phillips, Beallsville, 5-11, sr., 11.0; Curstin Giffin, Belpre, 5-9, sr., 14.0; Mackenzie Suprano, Waterford, 5-6, jr., 15.9; Jayne Six, Glouster Trimble, 6-2, jr., 15.3; Desiree Simpson, Symmes Valley, 5-9, fr., 13.6; Brooke Kennedy, Manchester, 6-0, sr., 16.9; Lilly Gray, Peebles, 5-10, sr., 12.0; Kame Sweeney, Franklin Furnace Green, 5-10, sr., 12.0; Claire Dettwiller, Portsmouth Notre Dame, 6-0, sr., 8.4; Emily Blevins, Berne Union, 5-7, sr., 9.0; Ellie Bruce, Fisher Catholic, 6-1, fr., 7.7; Paige Gavin, Fisher Catholic, 5-6, sr., 6.5; Jenna Grabans, Fairfield Christian, 5-6, fr., 12.0; Alexanderia Majers, East Knox, 5-5, jr., 11.3; Brynn Peddicord, Newark Catholic, 5-7, sr., 8.0; Ella Proper, Danville, 5-7, fr., 12.8; Azyiah Williams, Ripley-Union-Lewis-Huntington, 5-5, sr., 24.3; Dana Rose Fort Loramie, 6-1, sr., 11.3; Kathleen Ahner, Xenia Legacy Christian, 5-8, sr., 15.2; Angie Smith, Yellow Springs, 5-6, jr., 22.9; Mallory Mullen, Springfield Catholic Central, 6-0, jr., 14.3; Sabrina Delbello, Cincinnati Country Day, 5-7, sr., 13; Grace Forrest, Mechanicsburg, 5-6, sr., 20.3; Elise Champagne, Columbia Station Columbia, 5-7, fr., 10.0; Haley Domen Middlefield Cardinal, 5-1, jr., 16.0; Alex Rosson, Willoughby Cornerstone Christian Academy, 5-5, jr., 8.8; Lati Fleming, Ashtabula St. John, 5-7, sr., 12.0; Averey Lavinder, Columbia Stadion Columbia, 5-9, Sr., 9.7; Olivia Eldridge, Fairport Harbor Fairport Harding, 5-10, Jr., 10.3; Tess Denning, Dalton, 6-1, sr., 11.9; Shalen Guilliams, Loudonville, 5-8, jr., 15.0; Zahra Cunningham, Windham, 5-9, jr., 15.0; Emma Whaley, Sebring McKinley, 5-5, sr., 19.0, Marissa Ventura, Maplewood, 5-5, jr, 16.2; Belle Zirzow, Bristol, 5-9, jr., 19.8; Sophia Costantino, McDonald, 5-7, sr., 15.5; Janae Hoying, Minster, 5-8, sr., 12.0; Elle Schmitz, Mansfield Christian, 5-7, sr., 17.9; Madison Brown, Pioneer North Central, 5-5, jr., 14.9; Aubrey Bouillon, New Riegel, 5-5, jr., 13.8; Abi Lammers, Miller City, 5-6, jr., 15.8; Sammy Hoelscher, Maria Stein Marion Local, 5-9, jr., 12.4; Alli Vaughn, Fort Recovery, 5-10, sr., 11.4; Morgan Leffel, New Knoxville, 5-7, sr., 13.1.
More about the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association is posted at: https://www.ohsaa.org/news/OPSWA. The OPSWA was created in 1972 to support, promote and recognize coverage of high school sports across Ohio and is endorsed by the Ohio High School Athletic Association. OPSWA members are invited to assist with selecting the all-district teams, with those award winners eligible for All-Ohio consideration.
Photo Courtesy of Scott Huck, Cedarville University
(CEDARVILLE) – Cedarville University’s Branden Maughmer has been chosen a NCCAA Men’s Basketball All-American for the second consecutive year.
The 6-foot-3 junior guard from Chillicothe, Ohio was one of five players named to the First Team after being voted the Midwest Region Player of the Year.
Maughmer, who was a second team choice last winter, averaged team-highs of 16.2 points and 4.2 assists per game.
He topped the club with 38 steals, ranked second in rebounding (5.7), and shot .813 at the charity stripe. He also became the 56th player in school history to surpass 1,000 career points.
For more details on Branden Maughmer and other Cedearville players honored, go to our link to Cedarville University website. CLICK HERE:
(CHILLICOTHE) – The Chillicothe Paints will host the week-long 8th Annual First National Bank of Waverly Baseball Classic beginning Saturday, March 27.
A total of 31 high school teams will compete in an 18-game schedule over the seven-day period. “Opening Day” for Ohio High School baseball is Saturday, March 27, and there will be five games slated at VA Memorial Stadium, starting at 9 a.m.
There will be two games on Monday (29th), Tuesday (30th), Wednesday (31st) and Thursday (April 1st). One game will be played Friday (2nd) and the event will wrap up Saturday, April 3, with four more games, starting at 10 a.m.
The “Classic” was established in 2013 with the idea of providing local baseball fans the opportunity to watch some of the elite prep programs from around the state and southern Ohio. Many of the teams are perennial powers, making this week-long event one of the top showcases of high school baseball in Ohio.
A number of the players featured in these games are already committed to top Division I collegiate baseball programs, and many more are being heavily recruited to further their respective careers in baseball.
Mile Tree Screen Printing of Chillicothe is also a contributing sponsor.
Each day’s admission is $5.00 for adults and $4.00 for students. Concessions will be available.
COVID-19 measures will be in place and fans are required to maintain physical distance of at least six feet from those they do not live with or a face covering must be worn.
The Shawnee State University Bears made school history Tuesday, winning the NAIA National Championship 74-68 over Lewis-Clark State in their first trip to the (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) Championship Game, held in Kansas City, Missouri.
The Bears were in control most of the game, building a 40-30 halftime lead and led by as many as 12 early in the second half. But late in the game, SSU held-off a rally by Lewis-Clark State, who cut the deficit to 65-62 with 1:37 left in the game.
SSU took care of their business with key free throws and clutch field goals to keep the Warriors at-bay to win the national championship.
Shawnee State had three players in double figures- led by James Jones’ double-double of 27 points and 10 rebounds, followed by Amier Gilmore with 14 and 10 from Miles Thomas. The Bears shot 25/60 from the field- including 11/28 from the arc for a total of 42%. They added 13/18 from the free throw line and grabbed a whopping 52 rebounds, which helped to overcome 17 turnovers.
Lewis-Clark State was led by Damek Mitchell’s 21 points. Two other Warriors were in double figures. LCS shot 24/69- including 10/32 from the arc for 35%. They added 10/15 at the charity stripe and grabbed 24 rebounds. They also committed only 5 turnovers.
After a (4-2) start to their season, the Shawnee State Bears finished on a 27 game winning streak that took them to (31-2) and the NAIA Championship, handing #3 ranked Lewis-Clark State only their second loss of the season (22-2).
The Shawnee State University Bears will play in the school’s first mens’ national championship basketball game Tuesday, after taking down Saint Francis, Indiana 82-77 in the NAIA Semifinal Monday night in Kansas City, Missouri.
The Bears will face #3 ranked Lewis Clark State (Idaho) at 8pm, Tuesday. They defeated SAGA, Texas 83-56. Shawnee State is Ranked 5th in NAIA.
SSU had four players in double figures led by Donoven Carlisle’s 19 points, followed by James Jones with 17, Kobie Johnson 14 and E.J. Onu with 10. Nine Bears players scored in the game. Saint Francis had four players in double figures with Antwaan Cushingberry leading with 22 points.
The Bears bench outscored Saint Francis’ bench 41-18.
Shawnee State shot 31/67 from the field- including 10/29 from the arc for 47% and added 10/15 at the foul line.
Saint Francis shot 29/79 from the field- including 13/31 from the arc for 37% and added 6/9 from the free throw line.
Both teams committed 10 turnovers.
Shawnee State improves to (30-2) and goes for the the NAIA crown at 8pm Tuesday.
Despite trailing 33-32 at halftime, the Shawnee State University Bears outscored Jamestown, North Dakota 44-32 in the second half for a 76-65 NAIA Elite 8 Championship win, Saturday afternoon in Kansas City, Missouri.
The Bears now play Saint Francis, Indiana Monday in the National Semifinal, also in K.C.
The Bears’ James Jones poured in 31 points to lead all players while Miles Thomas added 10. Nine SSU players got into the scoring column with Donavon Carlisle adding 8 points. A.J. Onu grabbed 12 rebounds for Shawnee State.
Jamestown had three players in double figures, with Mason Walters leading the way in the loss with 20 points.
The Bears shot 28/66 from the field- including a chilly 4/21 from the three-point arc for total of 42%. They added 16/21 from the foul line and had 41 team rebounds while committing 11 turnovers.
Jamestown shot 25/61 from the field- including 5/23 from the arc for 41% and added 10/12 from the charity stripe. They committed 13 turnovers and grabbed 34 rebounds.
The Bears improve to (28-2) and are winners of 25 straight, advancing to the Final Four for the first time in SSU Mens’ Basketball history. It is the first appearance for Shawnee State University in the NAIA Basketball Final 4 since the women’s basketball team got there in 2010-11.
SSU will play Saint Francis, Indiana in the national semis, after advancing with an 89-81 win Saturday over Bethel, Indiana.
(CHILLICOTHE) – The Chillicothe Paints, presented by Adena Health System, have re-signed outfielder Trey Smith for the upcoming 2021 season.
Smith, from Sikeston, Mo., helped lift the Paints to the 2019 Prospect League championship with a sixth-inning grand slam that served as the game-winning hit in a 5-2 road win over the Cape Catfish in the deciding game-three of the Prospect League Championship Series.
Including four playoff games, Smith played in 56 of the Paints’ 64 games in 2019, hitting .289 with 20 doubles, three triples, five home runs and 49 RBIs. He hit in 13-straight games from July 9 to July 25 and had 15 multi-hit games, including five with three or more.
Smith is a senior biology major at the University of Indianapolis, member of the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Valley Conference. The 5-foot-10, 190-pound outfielder has played in 97 games over four years for the Greyhounds. This season, Smith has started six of Indy’s ten games and is hitting .391 with a double, triple, home run and four RBIs.
Smith was an All-Conference player as a junior and senior in high school. During his senior season, he hit .433 with five home runs, 22 RBIs, 32 runs scored and stole 12 bases.
Chillicothe hosts the Lafayette Aviators at VA Memorial Stadium Thursday, May 27, at 7:05 p.m. to open the 2021 season, the 28th for the Paints. In addition to $1 draft beer for Thirsty Thursday, there will be a postgame fireworks show presented by 94 Country to celebrate the beginning of the new season.
Information regarding tickets, group outings, sponsorship opportunities and more is available by calling (740) 773-TEAM or by emailing the team at paints@bright.net.
